IT'S TIME FOR 'THAT FIRE'

After months of adversity, Dodgers' Hernández hopes he can turn season around

- BY JACK HARRIS

CARLIN STIEHL Los Angeles Times THE DODGERS' Teoscar Hernández has battled through hitting slumps, injuries, and defensive misadventures in right field this season.

It was not quite a benching. But it served as a reminder nonetheless.

Last year, in many ways, Teoscar Hernández was the heart and soul of the Dodgers. Not their best player. Nor their biggest star. But someone who provided effervescent vibes in the clubhouse, veteran leadership in the dugout and clutch hits in several of the season's biggest moments.

"Teo is a guy that we counted on a lot last year," manager Dave Roberts said. "He's a guy that I really admire, because he can balance the fun part of baseball but also have that edge."

This year, however, frustration has doused much of the fun. Struggles have dulled his usual edge.

Between injuries, slumps, defensive miscues and mechanical swing flaws, Hernández has endured one of his worst career seasons. He is batting just .246 entering Thursday's game, his lowest since 2019. He has a .734 OPS, the lowest of his career and just a smidge above league-average. His limited range in right field has led to a flurry of dropped balls and some of the poorest defensive metrics of any big leaguer at the position.

"For me, not being the same as last year is a little frustrating," Hernández said. "I don't want to be like that. I want to be better than last year. But it's baseball. It's life. You just have to keep working, keep trusting in yourself and the things that you can do to help the team."

Last weekend, however, Roberts had a different idea. In the midst of Hernández's latest cold spell, the outfielder was unexpectedly benched for Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"He's an everyday guy," Roberts said that day. "But I do think that where we're at, you've got to perform, too, to warrant being out there every single day."